Sir, - I have followed with interest the current debate in the media in respect of the views of. Sean O'Callaghan. I met with him when he was still in Maghaberry, Prison in an effort to learn about as many different aspects of the current "Troubles" as possible. While I can never accept he was ever justified in carrying out the various atrocities he was involved in, at the same time I was impressed that he seems to have faced up to his past, and now., wishes if possible, to make amends. In this respect he is devoting his energies to try and persuade others not to follow the path that he did. He is also trying to warn people on the island of Ireland of the great threat posed by the IRA/Sinn Fein and others who use violence for political means.
Continually, we are left in no doubt as to the reality of the methods used by IRA/Sinn Fein and others in order to promote their political agenda. A punishment beating is not a punch on the nose. An anaesthetist friend of mine once described one operation on a young victim who had the area between his knee and his ankle, i.e. his lower leg, hit by a sledge hammer some 40-50 times with permanent and potentially life threatening consequences. No civilised society can ever tolerate much less support such methods of "policing" or "justice". Recently we have been given further insight into the terrorist mind with mortars being fired at passing security forces. The person pressing that switch not only knew that in don so he might kill members of the security forces, for which there is no possible justification, but also did not care if lie. killed civilians either passing or in adjoining properties.
We will all gladly welcome a further ceasefire and if a permanent one is called we will facilitate Sinn Fein, insofar as they have a mandate. Sean O'Callaghan warns us, however, that their current policy may not be one of genuinely seeking peace. I certainly hope this analysis is wrong but then so does Sean O'Callaghan. However the present evidence tends to suggest it may not be.
If we are to resolve our difficulties then surely, as a starting point, the people of the island of Ireland must join together to reject violence. The people in the Republic of Ireland should reach out the hand of friendship to unionists and in this way at, least we can become friends, learning to respect each other's views, and so building trust. Unionists, in turn, must seek to create an inclusive Northern Ireland and encourage nationalists to share in the responsibility of creating a stable future for our children. Violence will never solve our problem, and so is it not time that we tried working together and creating a bond where we at least co-operate to each others benefit, and where our friends become your friends and our enemies your enemies? That is the lesson to be learnt from Sean O'Callaghan and the path he is suggesting we follow. - Yours, etc.,
Belfast.